Friday, May 3, 2013

How do you describe your writing style?My writing style mimics my own style inlife. I tend to thrive on humor and passion, and I never take myself or the world too seriously.

Does your significant other read your stuff?This one made me smile because of an exchange I had with my husband the other day. First, a short description of the man-- he is a total guy-- doesn’t know how to turn on the oven, forgets every sentimental holiday and anniversary, and his idea of a good time is jumping his dirt bike through the air while racing on a motocross track. (Many broken bones and trips to E.R.--what fun) I was sitting on the couch, grumbling about having to go back up to the computer. I looked at him and said, “let me tell you, it is not easy writing an entire book.” He looked over at me and said, “heck, I would have a hard time just reading an entire book.” So, long story short, my significant other does not read my stuff . . . or anyone else’s for that matter. He does love his motocross magazines though, so he’s not completely illiterate.

What was the scariest moment of your life? I don’t think there is any moment as happy and as scary as becoming a mom.

Are the names of the characters in your novels important?How and why? This is the first time I’ve ever seen this question in an interview and I like it. I spend a lot of time deciding on the names for my main characters-- less time on secondary ones. I make lists, prioritize them, and once I choose names, I let them dance around in my head for a day or two. Then, if I still like them, I start poking them out on the keyboard. Once I’ve settled on the names, those characters become more familiar to me, like old friends, and if the name doesn’t work, I know it right away. So I guess my answer would be a resounding YES, they are important.

What hobbies do you actively pursue? For a long time my daughter and I had horses and they are definitely a hobby because like all good hobbies they take up a lot of spare time and all of your spare money. I’m happy to say my horses are now living a life of luxury on a fantastic ranch in Oregon. My hobbies now?Are chocolate eating and dog snuggling considered viable hobbies? If so, then those are my favorite two.

Morning Person? Or Night Person? How do you know?Let’s just say my sisters and kids know not to call me after 8 p.m. because I’m probably sleeping. I’m definitely an early bird. I got in the habit of getting up early years ago because horses know when it’s breakfast time and they don’t let you sleep past their internal alarm clocks. Now I just like being up when the rest of the house is still sleeping. It is my favorite time to write.

Beatles or Monkees? Why?Great question. Monkees, and not just because Davy Jones (RIP Davy) was adorable with his long bangs and tambourine, but because their songs always made me happy. Plus, my older sister always liked the Beatles better, and growing up, I always liked to be contrary to her.

As false accusations of witchcraft consume Salem Village, eighteen-year-old Poppy Seabrooke, a true witch, is content to stay away from the hysteria and more importantly from the relentless advances of Angus Wolfe, a powerful warlock masquerading as Salem’s pastor.

When Poppy uses her magic to help a young boy, she is arrested. Angus is the only person who can help her, but, in return, she must promise her hand in marriage. In desperation, Poppy’s grandmother sends her two hundred years into the future to hide. Poppy finds herself years from home in the middle of a strange place called Montana where rooms light up without candles or sorcery, steam puffing dragons roar across fields on tracks, and cows sprout horns as long as tree trunks. And while Poppy hides from the man who turns her heart cold as ice, she discovers the man who can set it on fire.

Cade Tanner has always lived fast and hard, and he prefers it that way. The last thing he needs is a girl to distract him from running the cattle ranch his father left him. But Poppy, the sweetly innocent beauty with the soft smile and dark eyes, who seemingly fell from the sky, is tough to ignore. But Cade soon finds that falling for Poppy comes with a dangerous price.

As I trotted back toward the inner
pastures, feminine laughter drifted over the tops of the tall grass. Jackson’s
laughter followed, and I trotted River in that direction. Libby’s plan had not
been thwarted by my refusal. Jackson leaned his forearm on the pommel of his
saddle as he watched Poppy ride circles on our old gelding. I rode up next to
him.

Her
long hair had escaped the pins holding it, and it shimmered like gold in the
sharp afternoon sunlight. Her sweet bottom was still tucked neatly in a pair of
my old denims, and it popped up and down on the seat of the saddle in perfect
rhythm with her soft cries of joy.

My
pulse sped up just watching her trot clumsy circles around the pasture. “What
that is, Jacks, is a whole lot of trouble wrapped in the prettiest package I’ve
ever seen.”

Jackson’s
eyes were wide. “What’s this? Cade Tanner’s confidence finally shattered by a
girl? I’ll admit she’s not like any other girl we’ve met, but I’m still
surprised.”

It
took all my will to look away from her. I reined River around. “Confidence
hasn’t got anything to do with it. I just know trouble when I’m looking at it.”
River’s hooves plodded over the drought hardened ground. I wasn’t fifty feet
from Jackson when Poppy screamed. I spun River around so fast, the horse nearly
fell back on its haunches. Poppy had slipped to the side of the saddle but had
righted herself just as I reached her.

Her
smile greeted me, and it was the kind of smile that could make a guy forget his
own name. “Red went one way and I went the other,” she said with a laugh. She
reached forward and patted the horse’s thick neck. “He slowed down as soon as
he knew I was off balance.” Her cinnamon brown eyes lifted and she looked at
me. “Forgive me if I startled you. I shouldn’t have screamed like that.”

“You
didn’t startle me.” Of course my heartbeat had a whole different interpretation
of it. Jackson rode up next to us. He grinned smugly at me. “Well, Cade, you
always were one to ride toward trouble instead of away from it.”

About the Author:

Tess Oliver is a teacher and writer who lives in California with her husband, kids, a small pack of pampered dogs, and the recent addition of three ridiculously cute pygmy goats. She loves horses, chocolate and Jane Austen books. She has a BS of Nutrition Science, and a MA in Curriculum and Instruction.She is also an author published by Barron's Educational Publisher.

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